ARIZONA WINTER RARITIES
JANUARY 18-26, 2003
OTUS ASIO TOURS
Leader: Jan Hansen
BTA=Boyce Thompson Arboretum; EsMP=Estrella Mountain Park; FC=Florida Canyon; MC=Madera Canyon; NP= Neely Ponds; PL=Patagonia Lake; SPR=San Pedro River; SRG=San Raphael Grasslands; SC=Sawmill Canyon; ScC=Scheelite Canyon;; SW=Sweetwater Wetlands; SSV=Sulphur Springs Valley;
TTL=Tempe Town Lake; WSF=Western Sod Farms; WWD=Whitewater Draw
(*)= heard only; Boldface= rare or of special interest
Least Grebe: beautiful studies of one at SW
Pied-billed Grebe: a few seen at several lakes and ponds
Eared Grebe: Tempe; Willcox; PL
Clark’s Grebe: 3 at Arthur Pack golf course in Tucson—very unusual in SE AZ
American White Pelican: 40-50 soaring over EsMP west of Phoenix
Brown Pelican: an immature at TTL—highly unexpected
Neotropic Cormorant: two seen flying over at 91st Ave ponds in Phoenix
Double-crested Cormorant: a small flock seen flying over at 91st Ave ponds
Great Blue Heron: fairly common around ponds and wetland complexes
Great Egret: a few seen in ag fields west of Phoenix and at TTL
Snowy Egret: seen only at 91st Ave ponds west of Phoenix
Green Heron: a single bird was at McKellips Lake
Black Vulture: a few seen from the van in Nogales area
Turkey Vulture: seen only in the Phoenix and Nogales areas; uncommon in winter
Black-bellied Whistling-Duck: 6-8 at the Gilbert-Riggs ponds east of Phoenix
Snow Goose: two were present at the lake in Arizona City
Gadwall: seen only at NP east of Phoenix where 6-8 were present
Eurasian Wigeon: excellent studies of this handsome species at McKellips Lake in Scottsdale
American Wigeon: McKellips Lake; Willcox and Amado
Mallard: a few at various ponds and wetland complexes
(Mexican race noted at SPR)
Cinnamon Teal: one was at NP and a few more at SW—always a treat!
Northern Shoveler: 200+ at various ponds—probably the most common dabbling duck
Northern Pintail: small numbers noted at NP, WWD and Amado
Green-winged Teal: moderate numbers at several ponds
Canvasback: 15-20 at Gilbert-Riggs ponds; also seen from van in Amado ponds off I-19
Redhead: a few at Gilbert-Riggs ponds and at Amado
Ring-necked Duck: Gilbert-Riggs ponds; Willcox; Amado
Lesser Scaup: a few were noted from the van at Amado
Common Goldeneye: 2-3 were on a farm pond near Palo Verde
Hooded Merganser: a female was seen on a pond in Gilbert
Common Merganser: Gilbert-Riggs; Willcox; PL
Ruddy Duck: present in small numbers on most ponds—very common
Osprey: one at TTL
White-tailed Kite: one hunting and then perched in the SRG
Bald Eagle: an immature in Gilbert being mobbed by a Peregrine; an adult at Essary Hay Co
Northern Harrier: seen daily over ag fields and desert areas—very common
Sharp-shinned Hawk: one at 91st Ave ponds and another near Continental
Cooper’s Hawk: fairly common and seen various places
Gray Hawk: we finally found the wintering adult near Amado---thanks Carol!
Harris’s Hawk: great looks at three birds in Gilbert and another at SW
Red-tailed Hawk: the most common raptor; many varieties and flavors noted during the trip
Ferruginous Hawk: 30+ seen in SSV—most common at the Essary Hay Co
American Kestrel: very common; recorded daily
Peregrine Falcon: the trip’s most memorable moment was provided by this species as it grabbed a dove
out of midair in the SRG; another harassed a Bald Eagle in Gilbert; also seen in Continental
Prairie Falcon: scope views of a perched bird in SSV at the Essary Hay Co
Wild Turkey: 8-12 at the feeder in SC
Scaled Quail: 8-10 near the golf course in Willcox; one at SPR near Sierra Vista
Gambel’s Quail: as always the most common quail in Arizona
Virginia Rail: one was very cooperative at PL
Common Moorhen: one at 91st Ave ponds and a few more at SW
American Coot: perhaps this should be Arizona’s state bird—if you missed this one you might consider an alternative avocation
Sandhill Crane: many flocks seen in flight just south of Elfrida; another 6,000-8,000 at WWD
Killdeer: fairly common in ag fields and around wetland complexes
Black-necked Stilt: seen only in the Phoenix area at NP
American Avocet: a few were at Gilbert-Riggs ponds east of Phoenix
Greater Yellowlegs: one in Gilbert—resting on the rocks at a wastewater treatment pond
Spotted Sandpiper: at same location as above species
Long-billed Curlew: flock of 7 in SSV and another of 10 at WWD
Least Sandpiper: the most common shorebird of the trip—recorded at NP, WSF and WWD
Long-billed Dowitcher: 6-10 at NP and another 10-15 at WWD
Rock Dove: very common in urban areas
Eurasian Collared-Dove: several in Palo Verde—this species continues to expand rapidly but is still
Unusual in SE AZ
White-winged Dove: a few wintering in the Continental and Patagonia areas; also one at SPR feeders
Mourning Dove: abundant in agricultural and suburban areas—seen daily
Inca Dove: 2-3 at McKellips Lake; 15-20 at Paton’s; one singing in Elfrida
Common Ground-Dove: 2 at EMP (originally mistaken for Ruddies); singles also at Paton’s and Patagonia
Ruddy Ground-Dove: a female was under the feeder at Paton’s in Patagonia—nice comparison with Incas
Greater Roadrunner: 6-8 found in various places during the tour—usually while driving
Barn Owl: one roosting in a hole in a bank outside Continental
*Western Screech-Owl: provided an aggressive but secretive response to a tape in Carr Cyn
*Whiskered Screech-Owl: at least three were heard in Carr Cyn but all remained well hidden
Great Horned Owl: one roosting at SPR; another flushed from roadside at Essary Hay Co in SSV
Burrowing Owl: three at Scottsdale Community College where artificial burrows have been installed
Spotted Owl: excellent views of a pair roosting in ScC—their presence made the steep climb easier to bear
Broad-billed Hummingbird: one at Sally Johnsen’s feeder in Green Valley—rare in winter
Magnificent Hummingbird: at least two at feeders in MC-this species winters regularly there in small numbers
Anna’s Hummingbird: the common wintering hummingbird in Arizona (seen regularly in desert lowlands and in suburban areas)
Costa’s Hummingbird: a nice look at a female at BTA
Belted Kingfisher: one at a farm pond near Palo Verde; others at Arthur Pack golf course and PL
Lewis’s Woodpecker: one cooperative bird on a telephone pole in Continental—second consecutive year
Acorn Woodpecker: very conspicuous in MC and in the Patagonia area
Gila Woodpecker: the most common picoid of the tour—recorded in most desert and riparian areas
Red-naped Sapsucker: 2-3 were found in MC
Ladder-backed Woodpecker: not as conspicuous and noisy as Gila but also very common in riparian and suburban areas
Arizona Woodpecker: great looks in great light at a male in MC; others were in SC and along the road to
SRG---this species is fairly common but can be frustratingly difficult to find some years!
Northern Flicker (Red-shafted form): most common above 4500 feet; a few were also noted at EsMP and in the Patagonia area
Gilded Flicker: 2-3 at the Arthur Pack golf course in Tucson
Gray Flycatcher: great looks at an obliging individual at EsMP
Dusky Flycatcher: one was seen along the creek at PL
Black Phoebe: ubiquitous near water
Say’s Phoebe: more common than the previous species due to widespread habitat selection—seen almost
daily in many locations
Eastern Phoebe: one actively flycatching at the 91st Ave ponds west of Phoenix—an AZ Winter Rarity!
Vermillion Flycatcher: a pair at Palo Verde; singles at Amado and WWD--as pretty as the pictures!
Ash-throated Flycatcher: one seen very well at PL during the gnatcatcher search
Loggerhead Shrike: very common in desert and agricultural areas
Hutton’s Vireo: one scolding individual was finally located at MC; another was with the gnatcatchers at PL
Steller’s Jay: a few in SC—not seen well by anyone
Mexican Jay: loud and unavoidable in the oak-juniper belt of all mountain ranges
Chihuahuan Raven: common in Sierra Vista and in the SSV although the usual large flocks were absent
Common Raven: many seen in mountains and riparian areas west of Sierra Vista—generally less numerous than the social Chihuahuans
Horned Lark: fairly common in SSV and at SRG where many sat on the fenceline
Northern Rough-winged Swallow: 1-2 actively feeding over water at NP
Bridled Titmouse: best views at the feeders at MC; also at PL and the picnic area on road to SC
Verdin: common in desertscrub areas—recorded regularly in that habitat
White-breasted Nuthatch: fairly common at MC; also in lesser numbers in SC and at PL
Brown Creeper: one behind the cabins at MC; a few more at SC
Cactus Wren: at the LeConte’s spot; also at SW, Green Valley and at Arthur Pack golf course
*Rock Wren: one was calling at BTA
Canyon Wren: excellent views of one that took umbrage to my tape at BTA
Bewick’s Wren: the most common wren; found at MC, PL, SPR and at the Paton’s
*Marsh Wren: heard at 91st Ave ponds near Phoenix and at WWD
Ruby-crowned Kinglet: very common in riparian areas and in mountain oaks
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher: 2-3 in desertscrub at the LeConte’s thrasher spot
Black-capped Gnatcatcher: a pair of this Mexican rarity was finally seen as they foraged in the mesquite
bosque at PL—the bird of the trip!
Western Bluebird: 3-5 were in the hackberries at the mouth of FC
Mountain Bluebird: obviously an invasion year as hundreds were noted—the largest numbers were in a short grass field just north of WWD—others were at WSF and SSV
Townsend’s Solitaire: a few were found during the hike up the creek at PL
Hermit Thrush: BTA; PL; FC; SC—very common
Rufous-backed Robin: fabulous scope views of one drinking from a cattle trough in FC—thanks Sally!
American Robin: very scarce this year: a few outside BTA were the only ones noted
Northern Mockingbird: hard to miss in dersert scrub and suburban areas
Sage Thrasher: great looks at this elusive bird at the Essary Hay Co
Bendire’s Thrasher: nice looks at the LeConte’s spot and on the road to the WSF
Curve-billed Tharasher: the most commonly encountered thrasher—many seen
Crissal Thrasher: two were very cooperative in dry wash outside of Willcox—these can be very hard to see!
LeConte’s Thrasher: at least two were singing and easily seen the first morning—this location is known simply as “the LeConte’s spot” and is near Buckeye
European Starling: abundant around livestock and in urban and suburban areas
American Pipit: seen first near a small pond outside Amado; many more were at the Essary Hay Co and another was seen foraging at the mouth of the stream at PL
Cedar Waxwing: several small flocks were seen in Continental and FC
Phainopepla: 15-20 in mesquites in the Santa Rita grasslands below MC; a few more at PL and the Paton’s
Olive Warbler: a beautiful male was seen by a few in SC—Karen said it best—“Wow”
Orange-crowned Warbler: unusually scarce this year; seen only at SW
Yellow-rumped Warbler: numerous in mesquites and in riparian areas
Louisiana Waterthrush: very nice looks at this out-of-place bird along the SPR
Painted Redstart: one was seen at MC but it never provided the show this colorful species is known for
Green-tailed Towhee: one very shy individual made intermittent appearances at the Paton’s feeders
Spotted Towhee: best looks were at BTA; another was at MC
Canyon Towhee: the only one was in Continental across from the restaurant
Abert’s Towhee: fairly common—seen in Palo Verde, SW, EsMP, SPR and at the Paton’s
Rufous-winged Sparrow: one sang from an exposed perch at distance of 10 feet in Continental
Cassin’s Sparrow: fleeting and unsatisfying glimpses in the SRG
Chipping Sparrow: many seen at a puddle in MC; a few others were at the Paton’s
Brewer’s Sparrow: very common in desertscrub and in agricultural areas—second in numbers only to White-crowned
Black-chinned Sparrow: a very cooperative individual in FC
Vesper Sparrow: very common in Continental, SSV and the SRG
Lark Sparrow: a flock of 8-12 outside of Continental
Black-throated Sparrow: 3-5 were seen the first morning at the LeConte’s Thrasher spot
Sage Sparrow: seen only at the LeConte’s Thrasher spot but they were quite common and cooperative there
Lark Bunting: 50-75 were seen in SSV—numbers were far less than the previous year
Savannah Sparrow: many were seen in the SRG where it was the most common sparrow; also at Willcox
Baird’s Sparrow: great looks at this secretive species in SRG after our geometry lesson
Song Sparrow: 91st Ave ponds; SW; PL; WWD—fairly common
Lincoln’s Sparrow: one gave fleeting looks to a few at 91st Ave ponds
White-throated Sparow: one under the paton’s feeders—another out-of-place easterner!
White-crowned Sparrow: Arizona’s most abundant wintering sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco: EsMP; MC; SC—excellent views of Oregon, Gray-headed and Pink-sided forms
Chestnut-collared Longspur: a roadside flock of 50-75 in the SRG demonstrated the art of camoulflage— a brilliant male decided to pose and offer crippling scope views for everyone
Northern Cardinal: very common in lowland areas where deciduous trees and shrubs were present
Pyrrhuloxia: 4-6 were seen with cardinals outside Continental; also at Paton’s and SSV
Red-winged Blackbird: common around cattle pens and in marshy areas
Eastern Meadowlark (Lillian’s form): a few in the SRG including a singing male
Western Meadowlark: very common in agricultural areas throughout
Yellow-headed Blackbird: one at a feeder at PL and a large flock in SSV
Brewer’s Blackbird: common around cattle pens especially at the Essary Hay Co
Great-tailed Grackle: abundant and seen daily
Bronzed Cowbird: only one was feeding on the grass at McKellips Lake
Cassin’s Finch: a male and a female were seen behind the cabins at MC
House Finch: abundant and impossible to miss
Pine Siskin: a small flock was at MC
Lesser Goldfinch: 6-8 perched in a sycamore at the picnic area on Fort Huachuca
Lawrence’s Goldfinch: 25-30 in the mesquites along the Santa Cruz River in Tucson; others were seen
in Continental and Amado—a banner year for this irruptive species
House Sparrow: common in urban and suburban areas and in cattle pens
The following mammals were seen during the tour:
Coyote
Arizona Gray Squirrel
Rock Squirrel
Black-tailed Jackrabbit
Desert Cottontail
White-tailed Deer
Pronghorn